Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The basic pragmatic response to any short-term problems that arise will be demand management. We will work with large energy users that have their own back-up power supply. That is how that issue will be dealt with.

Secondly, there is a generation gap between 2022 and 2025 because planned capacity increases will not come on stream, while demand has increased more than expected. We have been assured by the CRU and EirGrid that they have plans in place to bridge that gap, including extending the operation of existing generators - that is going to have to happen - as well as providing temporary generation capacity and ensuring future auctions will be successful in bringing new gas-fired capacity into the system. There will also be new interconnectors to France and Britain, while battery facilities will help to store renewable energy. The CRU is also developing a new data centre connection policy to ensure their operation is aligned with supply. There will be greater obligations on the operators of data centres in respect of the issue.

The Government will be briefed regularly by the CRU and EirGrid on the roll-out of this work programme. We will not hesitate to take any further steps, such as emergency legislation or other intervention, if we are advised it is necessary. We will also continue to make clear, through the national development plan and the new climate action plan, that gas-fired generation capacity is an essential part of the energy transition. This will reinforce the confidence of investors in new capacity. These new steps will ensure that Ireland remains a location with reliable energy supplies which investors, businesses and households can have confidence in.

I also wish to state that we have a long track record of meeting the needs of foreign direct investment, and we will maintain that record. As we implement our ambitious renewable energy plans, including offshore wind, we will actually be in a very strong position by the end of the decade.

Finally, I wish to join Deputy Kelly in extending my condolences to the family of Eileen Rushe at this very difficult time for them. I thank Eileen for her extraordinary campaigning in relation to the HPV vaccine.

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